Would You Buy An Engagement Ring At A Pawn Shop?

By Nelson Smith

Congratulations! You’ve finally found a girl who is willing to put up with all your quirks and foibles. She doesn’t mind that you fart in bed or the fact you enjoy a lot of onions on your burger. She consistently laughs at your jokes, even though they’re terrible. For some reason, she’s crazy about you, and she keeps dropping hints that she wants to make the relationship more permanent. You’d better put a ring on that, and pronto, before she figures out what an unappealing person you are.

So, like any good prospective husband, you head on down to the jewellery store, probably one in the local mall. The nicely dressed lady starts showing you engagement rings, and starts talking about how you’re supposed to spend 3 months salary on your special lady. Like any enterprising personal finance type person, you’re balking at the price. Does that 3 month rule apply to gross income or net income? I bet I know what the jewellery store employee would say.

Nuts to this you say, I’m not spending all that cash. You start to look for other options and while driving around, you spot a pawn shop. The proverbial light bulb goes off above your head, and you head inside. The shelves are filled with all sorts of jewellery given to ladies during happier times. You glance down at the prices, and notice that most of the jewellery is about half the price of the jewellery store. It all looks the same quality as at the store, and the guy behind the counter guarantees you’re buying the same karats.

Do you risk getting your sweetheart pawn shop jewellery to save a few bucks? First, the pros:

Better Value

Buying used jewellery is going to get you more bang for your buck, for sure. Let’s assume you’re looking to spend $5,000 on an engagement ring, since you’re kind of a high roller like that. You can either buy a pretty nice ring at the mall, or a really nice ring at a pawn shop. Your lady is going to get a decent sized rock if you decide to go the pawn shop route.

Reducing Your Support Of The Diamond Industry

If you want some interesting reading, spend some time researching the diamond industry. For the sake of brevity, I’ll sum it up in one paragraph for you.

De Beers basically controls the entire industry. The South African giant used to mine a full 80% of the world’s supply, often using questionable labor methods. They have since reduced their influence, but the industry is still remarkably concentrated. Over 90% of mined diamonds are cut in one city in India. Diamonds are one of the only precious metals that doesn’t have a fixed price. A company is able to sell a diamond for many times what it costs to extract it. Most diamonds are mined in Africa, where De Beers has forced local governments to relocate tribes to accommodate their mines. Needless to say, it’s a cutthroat industry.

If you buy a diamond that’s already been used, you’re minimizing your role in supporting De Beers and their questionable business practices.

Now, time for the negatives. This isn’t all just sunshine, lollipops and rainbows.

It’s Used

We all have our limits when it comes to buying used stuff. Some people are comfortable buying used clothes, others aren’t. Most everyone is comfortable buying a used car, but there are still some people out there who insist on buying a car that hasn’t been owned by somebody else. I actually know a guy who has no problem buying used underwear at the thrift store. He may or may not be related to me.

Your lady may not be comfortable wearing jewellery that has already been worn by someone else. You could always lie and say it’s brand new, but that has the potential of ending really badly. If you do that, make sure they’re no inscription.

You Might Get Ripped Off

I don’t want to say all pawn guys are kind of shifty, because they’re not. Heck, most of them are probably really honest. Saying that, if I were to guess where I’d be ripped off – a pawn shop or a jewellery store – I’d probably pick the pawn shop. There’s a certain stigma attached to the industry. You could always take your new piece to a jeweller and get it appraised, but he’s probably going to charge you for the privilege.

The Big Question

It’s time for both genders to weigh in on this one. I’m mostly interested in what the ladies think. Would the ladies reading be okay with an engagement ring from a pawn shop? Fellas, would you try to stretch your engagement dollar by getting her a used ring?

SPF: The Mrs. SPF wears was a hand me down. From my great grandmother to grandmother to mother to Mrs. SPF. She wrote about it here: sustainable wedding rings.

I think it would be easy to get ripped off. How am I supposed to be able to tell the difference between a diamond and cubic zirconia? Also, I have some issues surrounding pawn shops themselves. I appreciate the fact that they can help people get money that they need for other things but it seems so sad to think that some people may be heartbroken to have had to sell the very ring that you are buying. Plus stolen jewellery can be sold in pawn shops. I would have trouble enjoying a ring that someone else might be heartbroken not to have.

Reduce, recycle, re-use. Provided we could be sure we’re not getting stiffed, I am more than fine with having a pawn shop ring, or one from eBay or used from some other source. I see paying for an appraisal as a good investment, since I’d want to insure it.

Spare me the sentimentality of someone’s possibly broken heart. People are destroyed in diamond mining. Watch the documentaries. No shop stewards, no grievances. Just brutality and slave wages.

We are brilliantly diverted from considering the insanity inflicted on people (and the earth) to provide us with a shiny new ring. Reduce, recycle, re-use.

I wear a hand-me-down ring, too. The fru-gal in me would like to say that I’d be cool with a pawn shop ring, but I probably wouldn’t. I’d rather have a small rock (mine is small – I’m not big on bling) or even a laboratory-made rock. These are becoming more and more prevalent, and they’re a third of the price.

As I noted @ the end of your article Nelson, Mrs. SPF is wearing the same ring my great grandmother did. The stone is very small – but most were during the Great Depression. The back story is that my Great Grandpa had a job – full time – which was rare. A fellow he knew had to sell the ring to feed his family. My GG Pa bought it – but gave the fellow 2x what he was asking. He then put it on the finger of my GG GM who was 18 yrs old @ the time. They were married until my GG GM passed away.

No. First, as Roshawn pointed out there is danger that the ring will not be genuine. And then, I would hate to wear the ring of someone who has pawned it. In fact, we did buy a ring from a ‘normal’ shop and had to change it because I decided it brings me bad luck. Silly, I know, but I had such a bad run I was taking no chances.

I am thinking – no. Just because it is used and I would not be sure that it is real. Also, if someone pawned it, they probably have a real sad story behind it and … I would keep thinking about it all the time. Definitely would not buy it.

I have purchased diamonds and other things in pawn shops and had no problems. I sell things that I don’t use as well. Just because somthing is at a pawn shop it dosent mean something sad or bad happen to someone. I shop in pawn shops for good deal.

I most definitely would be thrilled to have a nice “rock” that otherwise might have been out of my Fiance’s range at a jewelry store. I have purchased numerous pieces of jewelry from pawn shops.I have never been disappointed. If you are purchasing precious gems do your homework first! Not all diamonds are the same grade or color. Pawn shop owners also have several jewelers loops. Look the stones over very slow. Keep a close eye on any possible cracks, occlusions etc. If your potential purchase is high dollar I definitely would spend the extra money for an appraisal.

My ring ring was designed and crafted by a local jewelry maker. The small center diamond is lab-created, and flanked by two equally-small emeralds. It’s not fancy, large, or expensive. But it’s unique, it supported a local artist, and I love it. I probably would have no problem with something from a pawn shop, though. But my favorite pieces of jewelry are those I had custom-made by artisans.

Wow. Interesting question. My only worry with going to a pawn shop would be getting ripped off. Otherwise, buying used is a great way to go.

My engagement ring (which I picked out myself and then begged for) is a small inexpensive ruby ring that I love. It’s the most expensive piece of jewelry I own by far. I think it was $300. In retrospect, I didn’t need a ring at all, although I do like wearing a wedding band.

I really see no reason why a woman would find a used ring to be offensive. Sometimes I’m amazed at what is considered “acceptable” due simply to the way society (or more likely business/advertising) has deemed to be acceptable. The fact that diamond engagement rings worth 3-months salary are the norm seems preposterous!

And, I read a National Geographic article on DeBeers and blood diamonds long ago. Nasty stuff…

By the way, I enjoy your blog – just found it recently and it’s great to see someone writing about finance and sustainability, since they are so closely tied together.

Really glad you enjoy the blog Mrs. MM. I will likely email you with some articles you might not have seen – especially if you like the inter-mingling of sustainability/green topics w/ PF. We are happy to share and are very happy you found our site!

I wouldn’t have a problem with buying an engagement ring at a pawn shop if I was sure the future wife was ok with it. My wife and I bought our wedding rings off of Amazon so she wasn’t too picky about her ring.

That’s tough. While I’m attracted to the money saving aspect of buying a used ring – I’m not sure I’d be able to shake the THOUGHT of where it came from. In order to end up at the pawn shop in the first place, the ring is likely to be from a separated couple, a dead person, or someone having money problems. Since all of those things are things I’d like to avoid… I’d be afraid that the jewellery would bring me bad luck!

Instead, I’d buy a new engagement ring, but certainly wouldn’t be spending a lot of money on it. I know for a fact my engagement ring cost my husband $799… and it’s absolutely perfect!

Any man who would spend $5000 on a piece of jewellery wouldn’t be marrying *me*. I have tiny hands and wore a dainty little “promise ring” before Mr D and I married. We picked it out together and I think we spent $35 on it – at a pawn shop. Then we bought plain gold bands from a local jeweller.

I have more of an issue with the manufactured need for diamonds than with pawn shops, which fill a real need.

I bought the engagement ring for my wife off of eBay because the value for the diamond was much more than I paid. I believe I purchased it from somebody whose engagement request had been denied. When I got it, I took it to be examined by a local diamond dealer who told me it was legit. I ended up buying a new setting for it, but it still was a great value. If you have a high risk tolerance, I don’t see any reason not to buy from somewhere other than a jewelry store.

I would not buy an engagement ring at a pawn shop. It seems strange to put someone’s old ring onto my future wife’s finger. It’s like getting her a used car, but worse. I’d rather find a good deal online. I researched how to buy an engagement ring like crazy before making my final decision to make my purchase online.

I’m glad I made that choice because I got a fantastic ring at a great price.

I’d sell an engagement ring to a pawn shop, but I wouldn’t buy one from there!

My solution to the diamond problem was not to have one at all. I have never worn rings, and a lot of my work and play activities don’t allow the wearing of, and I’m known for losing things despite my best efforts. I normally refuse to buy jewellery worth more than $20, so I won’t be upset if I lose it. So I was iffy on rings in the first place. My husband wanted them, so I agreed on the basis that mine could be very small, simple, and cheap. I am opposed to engagement rings given that they are an archaic demonstration of wealth from a man to a woman as a prereq for marriage with no return from the woman. I am opposed to diamonds because they are artificially inflated in worth, and a major source of international conflict (though I’d feel ethically okay with a Canadian diamond or a laboratory-produced diamond). So I have no engagement ring. I wear a simple gold wedding band. It was new, but if I’d seen the sort of ultra-small and simple band I wanted at a pawn shop or second-hand store or whatever, I’d be fine to buy it there. If I were a purchaser of diamonds, I’d be fine with one from a pawn shop if I (or a friend) had the expertise to ensure it was legit. But then, I’d be fine with cubic zirconia too, as long as I was paying cubic zirconia prices.

I think having a ring purchased at a pawn shop as a certain allure to it, in a way. It’s sort of old fashioned and the ring would have a mystery behind it; who had to hock it for money? Where has it been? I like the idea of a “recycled” ring, though I’d hope my significant other would have gotten a good deal on it. :)

“It’s like buying her a used car, but worse” ie. it’s like letting someone else take the hit on the initial price markup while still getting a perfectly useful item that looks just the same as if you’d paid twice as much and owned for the first years of its life? I agree!

It’s that kind of ridiculous logicless thinking that keeps the diamond industry making a killing off something that isn’t that rare or that special. Way to buy the marketing!

I used idonowidont.com, not exactly a pawn shop, but still a discount site. Kind of a neat idea. Sell unwanted diamond engagement and wedding rings for massive discounts, but sellers make more than they would selling it to a dealer. Win – win.

I’ve been married for 21 years, and if I had known that pawn shops carried engagement rings back then, I would have been the one dragging my boyfriend there! Then I would have had the pleasure of seeing a really good deal (plus the symbol of our everlasting love LOL) every time I looked at my hand.

The thing that I’ve never understood is why any future wife would want to put their future husband into debt for an overly-expensive ring when the minute they marry it becomes HER debt, too. It always seems like such a shaky way to start a life together.

I wouldn’t mind this. Mine was purchased from a jewelry company but if my spouse had gone to a pawn shop and bought a ring that had been there a long time (so as to know the owner likely wasn’t coming back for it), then I’d be perfectly fine with it.

I am pretty sure that pawn shops work in one of 2 ways: 1) the seller sells the ring and no longer owns it 2) the seller pawns the ring and has XX months to buy it back, if they do not, the shop owns the ring

I have an expensive ring and kept in in our divorce. I have been in a pawn shop to see if I could get rid of my ring. I went to a pawn shop in a great part of town where the shop was great, clean, everything was open no bars or glass separating the customers. In any case, I decided to take a look around the jewelry cases. This area of the city has quite a bit of money. I have also bought plenty of jewelry in the past so it’s about doing your homework and really looking at the pieces. I thought to my self while I was there that there were some really great current styles here an great quality. Also this pawn shop will ask for any certificates on the diamond so they can sell it easier. In the past pawn shop jewelry would make me cringe. Especially if it was an engagement ring. Now, I see what a great deal you can get if you know what you are looking for! You can get a great diamond for half of retail. And you can take to a jeweler and get the ring “all cleaned up” or remove the stone and get it reset. People spend way to much trying to impress people, my beautiful expensive ring has been sitting in a drawer for 2 years now. Just because someone spends a lot of money on a ring doesn’t mean forever. Also another option is reputable jewelry stores that will consign for their customers. Usually the prices are less that retail and more than a pawn shop since the jeweler has to make a cut. But they can appraise it for you.

The consignment idea is a really good one if you can find a store who will do it. But I agree – these rings often become keep sakes and are under used. Mrs. SPF has a ring from my great grandmother and she had it adjoined to her wedding band so she wears both all of the time.

I think having a ring purchased at a pawn shop as a certain allure to it, in a way. It’s sort of old fashioned and the ring would have a mystery behind it; who had to hock it for money? Where has it been? I like the idea of a “recycled” ring, though I’d hope my significant other would have gotten a good deal on it. :)

Another tip that saved me some cash. I bought mine (or my wife’s) from a small local jeweler who had an excellent reputation — I bought in April which saved the money because apparently the diamond is April’s birthstone, so there was a sale for that whole month.

I’m a woman, and would have absolutely no problem getting a pawn shop ring from my boyfriend. I just bought a beautiful vintage onyx cocktail ring for myself at a pawnshop this evening. It’s stunning, and I got it for $100. I have seen similar onyx rings from the 1930’s sold for thousands of dollars. I would applaud my husband-to-be for exercising such financial shrewdness!

If i can get my hands on a nice gold band with a cheap price, then sure i am going to take it. I collect that type of stuff as if i was a metal detector. If someone gives me a ring i have no problem with where it was purchased. I know it’s kinda voodoo If the ring came form someone who has just passed on…but then again i guess i could be a little VooDoo. Gold is Gold, Silver is Silver. and i think the older the better… although with diamonds they say the cut makes a diamond better….but really in all reality what is worth more the diamond, or the gold? It all comes down to how big of a See You Next Tuesday your are about to marry…Get my lingo?

well he got my ring from a pawn shop i was mad. he could get a new gun and a motor cycle but he had to get me a used ring yea thats not kool at all. So i would say look around on the enet for good deals! Think of it this way its the most important ring you will ever buy. So if I was a guy there is no way in hell i would ever buy the love of my life a ring from the pawn shop. When I found out thats where my ring came from i raised hell and now i got a ring that i like for a great price thanks to amazon!

If you can find the diamond you’ve always dreamed of at a pawn shop (for a fraction of the price) why wouldn’t you buy it?! Pop that rock out and put it in a shiny new setting made just for you. If you’re worried about who had the ring before you, or that it may be “cursed”, I’d recommend getting a CZ and spending the rest on psychiatric evaluations.

Besides, diamonds are forever… It’s just the relationships and/or people that wear them that aren’t. ;)

I would have no problem wearing a “used” engagement ring. Honestly, who cares that someone wore it before you? If you want it to seem newer, you can always have the diamond(s) transferred into a new setting.

I’m actually somewhat on the picky side when it came to engagement ring shopping. We went to all the local jeweler but nothing was suitable for me. We thought about custom designing the ring but that also would eat away at his wallet. So I thought about pawn shopping. My taste in rings was simple, elegant, vintage. I thought why not? Sure enough, after searching at about 3 different pawns, I found a delicate and ‘so me’ ring at a so affordable price! In my opinion there’s nothing wrong with looking for your engagement ring at a pawn, that doesn’t define your thoughts or feelings toward your partner. I’d have done it sooner if I could!

If I were to get married one day I believe I would end up purchasing my engagement ring from a pawn shop. Getting a used ring is not only more cost effective, but it shows that your SO isn’t all caught up in the glam of having to have everything new. I believe buying more then just rings from a pawn shop or second hand store can be cost effective.

I had shopping for my ring at a local pawn shop because my fiance told me to pick out whatever I wanted and I was trying to be conscious of his wallet. I had a pretty good idea about the ring I wanted at the local pawn shop when he picked me up the day after Christmas. He drove me directly to Kay’s Jeweler and said that one of his coworkers told him to go there. Needless to say, he picked out a ring that is absolutely beautiful and bought it. I got a call from the pawn shop that I had been shopping at today and they told me they had just received a diamond back from the jeweler (where they had just had it put in a shiny new setting) a 3 carat solitaire priced at 12,000 less than my fiance paid for my 1.5 ct. I told him and his response was we should have waited. I don’t know what he is going to choose to do now, we may just end up with the “used diamond” in it’s new setting.

When it comes to jewelry, I think it is the thought that counts, and not the price tag. This is why I think finding jewelry at a pawn shop is a really good idea. It is definitely the route I would go if I were to marry again.

I think it’s totally fine to get a ring at the pawn shop, but it’s definitely up to the couple. You can get rings that look completely new and some couples really need to save money. There IS a certain appeal to finding just the finding a ring special only to your couple, though.

I think I would definitely get a ring at a pawn shop, especially if it was authentic. It doesn’t matter where you get the ring, as long as you get the quality you want. It is like refusing to buy a car at a dealership because you don’t like that type of particular dealership.

I don’t know if I would buy an engagement ring at a pawn shop. It would really depend on my financial situation and the girl. Some girls want a personalized ring, and pawn shops don’t necessarily give you the freedom to make a personalized ring. However, you never know what treasures you will find at a pawn shop.

All of these are some really great points and it can be a good idea to purchase an engagement ring from a pawn shop. It will in fact be for a better price and you will not have to go through a big diamond company. Even if my own husband would have gotten my engagement ring from a pawn shop, I would not have cared at all. Doing it this way is a smarter less expensive way.

This is an interesting question. I think I would buy an engagement ring at a pawn shop under a few circumstances. First, I would need someone to verify that the ring was authentic. Second, I would have to know, or feel strongly that the ring was “right.” When I bought my wife’s engagement ring, it was from a non-traditional store, but it was because, of all the rings I looked at, I knew it was the right one.

Maybe someone has already mentioned but I have to say that I would think about that if my financial situation is that I can not afford a diamond. I think that is not important very much, love and trust, understanding, that is all that counts. I have found something special, I think that my girlfriend will love. Wish me luck.

First of all not all things at the pawn shop are pawned due to lack of funds. I wanted a new ring and wanted to get rid of the old one. Couldn’t sell it back to the jewelry store so pawn it. Got money go toward the new purchase. Just blessthe ring after purchase and you’ll be fine. Usually get 24 hrs return out its junk. Bring to jeweler in that time frame

Funny a lot of oh it must have a bad story connected to it what about how most diamonds are mined slave labor or as close as it gets how’s that for a sad story. Divorce or break up ha!!!!!! Buy them were u wish no matter what story behind it is horrible. Have great day with ur bling bling

Yes, if I were in the position to receive an engagement ring I would be absolutely fine with one from a pawn shop. My husband and I were married 38 years ago. He was fairly penniless, and his mom offered him her wedding/engagement ring set to give to me. Rather than looking at them as symbols of her miserable, failed marriage, I was simply glad to have rings! (Years later I am wearing as my ‘engagement ring’ a gold ring that I bought and had set with a 2-ct moissanite. – I wanted more bling but was unwilling to pay diamond prices for it. – Moissanite is a fantastic alternative to diamond. It’s harder than anything except diamond (which makes it a durable ring to wear every day compared with CZ). Also, it is very sparkly even when it hasn’t just been cleaned, which unfortunately cannot be said of CZ. AND – best of all! – it has more fire (rainbow sparkles) than diamond! All at a little fraction of the cost of diamond, with none of the moral problems. I got mine my a very good eBay seller, “moissaniterus”.

I’m Currently Dealing with this Issue. Now a Little Background. I’ve NEVER Been a Fan of Pawn Shops. My Fiance LOVES Pawn Shops. It’s Actually His Favorite Past Time. My Fiance INSISTS on Getting My Engagement Ring from the Pawn Shop. If You’re Going to Go the Cheap Route, Go to Wal-Mart. At Least It Doesn’t Have Someone Else’s DNA All Over It. Just Like You Said in Your Article, Some People Have Their Limits With Used Items. My Engagement is Something I Would Like to Have Brand New. It Doesn’t Have to Be 3 Months Salary Worth. But MY GOD! lol I Don’t Like that Thought Of Being Presented With Something I Don’t Like, and Having to Disappoint My Significant Other… But At the Same Time, He Should Know Me Well Enough to Know that I Don’t Want ANYTHING From There, Let Alone, My Friggin’ Engagement. (Sigh) Thanks for Letting Me Vent. lol

It’s really a terrific question.I think along with the economical angle here there is also the emotional angle .The used second hand ring might not just be as appealing to the lady as the brand new one .But all the same it will depend on person to person.If the ring is a really good one than i think it does not matter which shop it comes from. Actually if it is good and economical than it is a really better option than having one that is expensive from a popular jewellery store.To look for good and useful items from the pawn shops id s an art .If you are able to master it than there is nothing like it.

I am not really sure if I would or not! That is actually a really tough question and there seems to be alot of debate here on whether it is good or not! I personally love pawn shops and have sold alot of our gold for cash to my local one. Thanks for the interesting article and fun discussion!

I’m not sure if most of you realize this but, when you buy a new engagement ring, chances are, it was traded in by someone who owned it before you. Most high end jewelry stores have a trade up or buy back program. They take the old one back, make it look amazing and new and sell it to you as new. You pay top dollar for it, thinking you are the first one to own it. True story. I don’t believe they are required to tell you it was previously owned either. So, what does it matter if it was previously owned and you buy it from a top notch store of previously owned and you buy it from a pawn shop? I’ve purchased two diamond rings from a local pawn shop and when I’ve taken them to have them appraised, the appraiser was amazed at the deal I got on both of them. They both appraised at more than twice what I paid.

My husband bought my ring brand new, but honestly, I would even love the idea of getting an old ring! If it looks more like an antique than a beat up hand-me-down, then I would say go for it. I just love old vintage jewelry. I don’t think there is anything wrong with getting your girl a ring from a pawnshop.

So I walked into Al’s Pawnshop last Thursday to sell some scrap Gold. I handed the guy two pieces of 10k jewelry, one 18k necklace, a pair of 14k earrings, and one platinum round. He le’ts me weigh out each piece on the scale. He enters the weights on his computer, all while im watching the screen! Instantaneously I see my CASH price. I am going back to this place to sell my other jewelry, and am recommending the place to my friends. I asked him what software he used. He said Goldamite Pro. I researched it, and found it was a few hundred bucks. I guess only the best gold buyers and pawnshops can afford it. Anyway, that’s my story.

Thank you for looking at both sides of the argument on buying engagement rings from pawn shops. I personally think that buying jewelry at a pawn shop gives you the chance to find more interesting and unique things. I also like the idea of reducing support of the diamond industry that you make. I’m engaged and my fiance and I are looking for rings in a lot of places. I have no problem getting one from a pawn shop if it’s the right ring.

I am a jewelry NUT. Always have been, always will be. If you do your research about how much markup these mall jewelry retailers inflate the prices on their diamonds, you would be appalled. I think the problem is that people have a really bad stereotypical view about pawn shops, such as only cracked out addicts frequent those places. The bad apples do make their appearances, but there’s also plenty of normal, hard-working everyday folk that go in there looking for a steal of a deal. I have bought soooo much jewelry from pawn shops & also traded some of my own for new stuff. So no, not every item has a sad story behind it. And no one will know it’s from a pawn shop unless you tell them. I get compliments all the time. Its like a treasure hunt. You can find sooo many neat and unique pieces in pawn shops that you would never find in the everything looks the same mall chains. I love looking at the makers marks on my jewelry I buy from pawn shops and figuring out where they started. I’ve got pieces that were from high end jewelry stores in Manhattan to one very unique pendant that ended up being an antique from the 1800’s worth a whole chunk of change. See pawn shops usually just look at the weight of the item, if it’s a real diamond and the size of the diamond. A lot of pawn shops don’t employ a full time gemologist, so they don’t worry about diamond cut, clarity, or color. My diamond solitaire engagement ring we got for $147. Turns out it was a very nice diamond and was appraised for $3,000. My latest victory was a pair of 3/4 ct diamond earrings. Paid $150 & they were then appraised by my trusted jeweler for $2000. With this economy as inconsistent as it’s been, plus knowing that I’m recycling as someone said in an earlier post instead of giving those very ethically questionable DeBeers any more money, for me a pawn shop ring is just fine. Had it 4 years and my luck has been great :) Just do a little research beforehand about what to look for in an authentic diamond and you’ll be good to go.

We just purchased a ring today from a pawn shop and I love it! We paid $1700, and I am guessing it was worth around $4K. We took it to a local jeweler for the sizing and apprasial. I THINK (being the operative word) that pawn shops will not buy an item if it is fake, otherwise how could the person bringing it in get any $$? They couldnt, and it wouldnt be worth anything. I believe we made a good deal. I suggested it myself, to save money. We shopped at several larger stores and what I wanted was close to $5K and over even. It wasnt an affordability issue, just a simple “We have a big joined family and would rather put the money elsewhere” issue. I say inanimate objects cannot hold luck or release luck, so I am not worried about any luck or anything else. We all make our own luck, and I wish everyone the same happiness when you find something beautiful!

as I read the comments I see the people would rather spend $10,000 on a diamond because it is new than spend 1/2 or less on a used one? all because of superstitious sentimentality promoted by jewelry commercials and the diamond industry? One solution…buy a nice used diamond ring and have it reset in a new more stylish setting…new ring and a beautiful diamond…less money!

As a lady, id sooner go buy my own ring than obtain an old one outside of my lineage. (superstition) Also, my darling bought a cheap one on line with no return policy from Groupon. It came in yellow, too small, and later found to be fake once I chiped it. Like a broken record, he says he’ll by me a nice one every passing season (its been 2yrs). Ce la vie. Now im saving up to get this embarrassing symbol of our love off my finger. When ppl ask to see it; i change topic quickly so i dont have to show them. Be wary of Pawnshops & online deals.

I absolutely did and will again, buy from our local pawn shop. The person who fell upon hard times, divorce, whatever landed them to hock their jewelry, is their loss, my gain. I purchased a channel set anniversary band for $300 and in the National Chain Jewelry stores, it was nearly a GRAND… Score, I say. I wont hesitate, although I could use negotiation skills with them.

My husband bought my beautiful 3 stone wedding set from a Pawn Shop for only $400. We actually went together to pick it out. I think he was pretty surprised when I opted for the smaller diamond set. Haha. I just picked out the one that I liked the most. There was a great selection to choose from and the sales rep was very informative. It’s what the ring symbolizes to us in our marriage that matters the most. The fact that we picked it out together and stayed within (and even under) our budget was just the icing on the cake! I actually told him long before that I would rather get a used beautiful ring for half the cost than pay up for the same or similar ring at a fancy jewelry store. So he knew that going to a pawn shop was never going to be an issue for me. Besides there are so many nice pawn shops out there. You can always shop around and go to different stores for an even larger variety. Pawn shops tend to have jewelry sales quite often too!

I never would have guessed that buying an engagement ring from a pawn shop could be so beneficial. I really like how you explained that “You can either buy a pretty nice ring at the mall, or a really nice ring at a pawn shop. Your lady is going to get a decent sized rock if you decide to go the pawn shop route.”I have never bought an engagement ring before but I can imagine how helpful buying one from a pawn shop can be when it comes to buying a quality ring for a quality price.

My wedding set was purchased in a pawn shop..When I saw the set I was in love..the price tag said $300..way below our limit..I tried it on and it fit like it was made for me..so we put it on layaway and paid on it religiously..the day I went to pick it up my partner had a stomach virus..so I went in alone..the clerk studied the set…put it out of my reach but where I could see it..this was after I paid the balance.The manager came out…looked at the paperwork said it was under priced and would I mind paying another $300 on it..if I did he’d let me have $200 worth of merchandise on top of it…I said no I want my ring..I ended up getting my baby to come in and she was in a baaad mood….needless to say I got my rings and chances are the clerk and the manager probably got her stomach virus…I love my set….going to a pawn shop is not a bad thing..another idea..look at fashion rings..a friend of mine her ring was $200 and closely resembles the $2000 ring they originally picked..

[…] everywhere we turn these days; with good questions at that. On Sustainable Personal Finance he asks would you buy an engagement ring at a pawn shop. I said ‘no, this is bad luck’. And the guys, quite rightly, hit me back with: ‘wearing a […]

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